“You should leave, Mr.Beaumont.”Nora didn’t dare use his given name.
Ezekiel regarded her, then nodded.“Thank you for the pleasurable afternoon, Miss Davis.You know where to find me should youneed anything.”Father growled, but Ezekiel faced him like a knight squaring off with a dragon.“Mr.Davis, should you be willing, I’d be honored if you and Miss Davis joined me for Sunday lunch so we can become properly acquainted.”
“Properly now, is it?A proper man wouldn’t conduct secret meetings with my daughter.”
“There was no secret behind our meetings,” Nora argued.“Mrs.Jerden has been with us each time.”
“We will discuss thisafterwe are home.”
Ezekiel finished shrugging on his coat and then opened the door.“I would be happy to address any concerns you have on Sunday after church.Good day, sir.Mrs.Jerden.Miss Davis.”After a nod to each, he strode outside.
Father slammed the door.
Mrs.Jerden dared to wag a finger in Father’s face.“That is no way to treat a man who has been a perfect gentleman to your daughter.I expect you to go to lunch and give him the opportunity to explain the way of things.”
“Frankly, Mrs.Jerden, this is none of your concern.”He shoved Nora’s coat at her, but with Tristan still in her arms, she could do nothing about it.He grunted and opened the door again.After a quick, overly formal bow to Mrs.Jerden, he added, “Thank you for ensuring the maintenance of my daughter’s reputation, but your services will no longer be required.”
What kind of man was Nora’s father?Should Ezekiel have stayed and ensured Mr.Davis’s anger didn’t lead to harm?Nora hadn’t exactly spoken of him in a gentle and loving light, yet neither had she indicated he was abusive.Thunderation.Ezekiel had promised he would protect her, and here he’d left her to face the consequences alone.This cowardice could not stand.He doubled back the two blocks he’d walked.Nora needn’t stay under the same roof as an abusive father.If Mrs.Jerden was too close to give her safe shelter, he’d pay for a hotel until he could determine some other arrangement.Detective Hall had said her friends were protective to a fault.Maybe he could enlist them.
When he knocked on Mrs.Jerden’s door, she informed him Nora and Mr.Davis had gone directly home.After sending up a prayer for wisdom and favor, he knocked on Nora’s door.Seconds later, Nora cracked it open.
Her eyes widened, and she looked over her shoulder before hissing, “What are you doing here?Father will lose his temper if he sees you now.”
“That wasn’t losing his temper?”She was definitely not staying here.“Come with me.I’m not leaving you where you aren’t safe.”
“What?”She glanced up and down the street.“Did you see someone suspicious watching the house?”
That wasn’t what he’d meant.He did a quick check to be sure before he answered.The only commotion was men moving trunks into a house a few doors down.“No, I mean your father.You’re not safe with him.”
“Of course I am.”
“Who’s at the door?”Mr.Davis called from inside.Fierce anger hung thick in his tone.
“A friend.Give me a minute, and they’ll be on their way.”She turned back to Ezekiel.
“I can’t leave you here alone if there is any risk of his touching you.Please, allow me to put you up in a hotel or escort you to a friend’s.”
Her whole demeanor melted into soft admiration.“I promise you, I am perfectly safe with Father.Yes, he’s in a bit of a temper, but he would never harm me in any manner.”
Thatwas a bit of a temper?What must his unrestrained temper be like?Still, the fear Ezekiel had seen in her upon her father’s arrival had disappeared.
“He’s just afraid you are a danger to me.Don’t worry though, I’ll set him to rights.”
Ezekiel winced.He had been an unintentional danger, but Adler would never come near Nora again.“I’d rather speak to him myself and ensure he knows that if you have one cut, one bruise, or even one hair missing, I will remove you from the house and have the police intervene.”
“Please, don’t.I need you to trust me.I know how to manage Father’s fears and tempers.If you want any chance of being accepted, let me prepare the way.”
“I don’t like it.”
She squeezed his hand.“I know, but please?”
He held on, searching for any sign he should toss her over his shoulder and carry her to safety, but she did seem confident.“Fine, but keep Tristan with you.He’s no guard dog, but he’s a fierce guardian.”
“And apparently so is his servant.”Her soft tease did little to ease the tension in his shoulders.
He kissed her hand before dropping it.“Please, take care of yourself.”
“Quit being such a mother hen.”She checked over her shoulder again, then lowered her voice.“Come for lunch tomorrow.He’ll be at work, and we can plan how to convince him to accept you.Now go, see what you can compose before you return to work.You don’t have time to lose.”
